The Surgeon

The ship, if it ever had a name, had long since been consigned to the depths. What remained of it was held together with nothing more than malice, contempt, scorn and defiance. The hull was blackened and its sails torn. The Surgeon stood on the prow, waving his arms as if conducting some silent symphony. He looked straight ahead, his eyes never wavering as the port of Still Water came into view.

He sang in an off-key manner.

See that ship sail off with its sails aloft

And see me dry my eyes

And see more salty tears flow

He was one of two crew members of the vessel. The others could not be defined as human. The wretches served their purpose. Humanoid in shape but often misshapen, with faces that would not pass as people and lacking the characteristics that would define them as male or female. They were docile until it served the Surgeon's purpose for them not to be.

Codgeson was the only other person who crewed this vessel. He served entirely at the surgeon's behest. A man long since broken and his spirit tamed. A man who had not thought of his own lest he invoke the Surgeon's ire for years. A corpulent man whose attire was covered in stains, the source of many was not an answer many would appreciate.

The singing continued.

Here comes a black ship rising under red sail

See it fill the sky

See it billow up

The ship coasted into the harbour of Still Water. It appeared to slow by will rather than a lack of momentum provided by the wind. It drew up alongside a dock, and they witnessed a guard rushing down to greet them.

"Harbour's closed for the evening. We are under orders not to allow any ships to dock." The guard shouted.

The Surgeon simply stood with a bemused look on his face before turning to look at the guard.

"We are simple merchants wanting to stop for the night and ply our trade come tomorrow." The Surgeon spoke quickly and in the accent of an affluent Ithican family.

The guard scoffed, surveying the vessel that was at best little more than a wreck and was mystified at how it was even seaworthy.

"Merchants. Youse having a jest, surely." The guard

"We simply request safe harbour for the evening. Nothing more." The Surgeon replied

"Well, I'm under orders from the Guvnor. No ships are allowed to dock tonight as he's having a ball."

"A ball? And I left my finest at home. A pity. Are you a family man, Sir?" The Surgeon remarked sarcastically.

"As it happens, no, I haven't taken a wife." The guard replied.

Before the guard could react or say anything further, the Surgeon pulled a flintlock and shot the guard square in the forehead.

"I do hate to leave widows in my wake." The Surgeon declared.

He moved for the first time since the ship had docked and turned to look towards the aft of the ship and in Codgeson's direction.

"Prepare the ship for a swift departure. I have business with the Governor. " The Surgeon stated without even addressing Codgeson by name.

The Surgeon gathered a throng of the Wretches to him and departed the ship. He began to sing again as they walked through the streets.

See me look unveiled

When I walk out of the canyon

And see me start to climb

They swept through Still Water's streets like a plague. The few guards they encountered, the Surgeon showed no mercy for. At best, they were confused and surprised at this man walking through their streets accompanied by these things which looked like mockeries of the human form. They were torn limb from limb as he simply walked past them.

The Surgeon could hear the music playing as he walked up the hill. The guard had mentioned a ball was taking place. He was offended he had not been provided an invitation. He continued his ascent towards the Governor's mansion. There were two guards at the doors. They looked on in horror as they saw The Surgeon approach with the things that accompanied him.

"Sirs? May I ask what occupies the Governor this evening?" The Surgeon asked.

One of the guards was bolder than the other. "It's his daughter's eighteenth birthday. Big ball in her honour."

He finished them off quickly, shooting one and setting the Wretches on another.

They stormed the mansion heading towards the ballroom. They charged the doors, and The Surgeon made his appearance, fashionably late of course, as one must when attending these things. The other guests were, to say the least, somewhat appalled at the choice of outfits selected by the newcomers. The Surgeon grabbed some pretty blonde thing in an expensive looking gown by the throat.

"May I cut in? The Surgeon asked

He fired his pistol in the air, believing perhaps he still did not have their full attention.

"Unhand her this instant." A man in a red coat screamed at him.

"I do believe we have not been introduced, sir." The Surgeon announced. "I would bow, but my hands are currently full."

"I am Governor Restan. I care not for your name. Unhand my daughter this instant." Restan pleaded.

"I am delighted to make your acquaintance finally, Governor. I do feel somewhat slighted that I was not offered an invitation. I do hate to drop by these things unannounced." The Surgeon replied politely.

He watched the Governor make a slight gesture with one hand. The Surgeon did not flinch as he heard a guardsman fire a rifle at him. One of the Wretches moved faster than they had expected and intercepted the shot. Its skull exploded with the impact, black fluid dripping onto the carpet as its body hit the floor.

"A foolish mistake, Governor. Do that again, and I will ensure your daughter does not reach her nineteenth birthday." The Surgeon advised, sounding annoyed.

"Please spare her. I'll do anything." Restan was almost sobbing.

"Where is William?" The Surgeon asked.

A moment of realisation dawned on Restan. "Ravenhill."

"I am delighted to make your acquaintance, finally, Governor. Edward Ravenhill at your service. Former Surgeon General to the Crown of Ithica. We share mutual friends. I would be very pleased to know where he has gone." Ravenhill asked.

" Løvenskiold", Restan said pitifully.

Ravenhill was honestly surprised at the response. "An unprecedented move. Bravo to you, William. Well, I thank you, Governor; this has been insightful."

He shoved the blonde to the floor and unloaded his pistol into Restan's forehead. The blonde girl screamed and launched herself at him regardless of her safety. He slapped her across the face.

"It would not be wise for you to stand." Ravenhill threatened.

"You said you would spare him." She cried.

"I'm a man of my word. I said I would spare his daughter. I said nothing but sparing your father." Ravenhill stated, and then took his leave of the Governor's mansion.

He sang once more as he walked back towards the ship.

How many times have I learned this before?

How many times have I made up this song before?

How many times have I died up here before?

They walked back to the ship unimpeded. He took his time walking back, mulling over what would drive William to sail to Løvenskiold. The only man he had met from that wretched place he had killed. He knew of the one other place that William would go. A trap could be sprung. He stepped back onboard the vessel and the Wretches took up their places. He walked over to Codgeson and placed his hand firmly on his shoulder.

"We sat sail, Master Codgeson. Wake me when we approach our destination."

Ravenhill disappeared below decks and into his quarters.